WILLIAM BEALL is a representative of a family of Scottish pioneers, who were early settlers in Brooke (now Hancock) county, W. Va. The first ancestor who came to West Virginia was Philip Beall, who was born in Maryland, of Scotch parentage. In early life he came to Hancock county, W. Va., and took up a tomahawk claim of 600 acres. The family was often compelled to leave their cabin and flee for safety from the Indians, to a fort which the pioneers had united in erecting. After selecting his land, Mr. Beall began to clear the ground to plant the amount of corn required by law in order to secure the tract. In the meantime their supplies were brought over the mountains from the East, and some years later their salt was all brought from the East. Philip Beall and his faithful wife lived to a ripe old age, and saw the wild country around them dotted first with cabins and then more substantial homes. Mr. Beall possessed great physical strength, and was of massive proportions, weighing over two hundred pounds. He died in 1805, and his wife survived him only a few years, when she was buried in "Three Spring" cemetery, Hancock Co., W. Va. Nine children were born to these pioneers, seven daughters and two sons, of whom William moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he died. Philip Beall, youngest son of Philip, was born in 1793, in Hancock county, W. Va. He attended the rude schools of that time until the death of his father, when the care of the farm fell upon him and his brother William. The former was not yet thirteen years of age, but he went bravely to work, and, preparing the ground, the boys each planted ten acres of corn and oats, using the clumsy implements which were then provided. Philip remained on the home farm until after the death of his mother, when, the old place being sold, he lived for some time with a brother-in-law. In early manhood he was married to Mary Gibson, who was born in 1800 in Washington county, Penn., a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Campbell) Gibson. The following children were born to them: Elizabeth (died in early childhood), Mary Ann (deceased wife of John Carson, Stark county, Ohio), William (whose sketch follows), Rebecca (Mrs. James Morrison of Paris, Penn).), James (living in Kansas), Melinda (an unmarried lady, of Salem, Ohio), Nancy (deceased) and Philip (of Salem, Ohio). The parents began married life in Hancock township, this county, and in 1827 came to the home farm, where the father passed the remainder of his active life. He was a popular citizen, and in politics was a lifelong Democrat, being an enthusiastic supporter of his party. Although not a church member, Mr. Beall contributed liberally to the U. P. Church at Paris, of which his wife was a member. He died October 24, 1860. His wife died September 12, 1849. They are buried in the Paris cemetery. William Beall, son of Philip and Mary ( Gibson) Beall, was born December 11, 1826, in Hanover township. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade at Frankfort, Penn., which he followed a year and a half. He then sustained an injury which necessitated his temporary absence from the anvil, and finally compelled him to abandon the business. He returned to the farm, and followed rural pursuits until 1852; then joined in the California Argonauts, making the trip from St., Joseph, Mo., to Placerville (then "Hangtown") Cal., in 104 days. He remained in California six years and eight months, returning via Aspinwall, Panama City and New York, and resumed work on his father's farm. In the fall of 1860 he married Margaret Ann, born in 1836, in Smith township, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Reed) McCready. The following children were born to them: Mary L. (Mrs Seward Walker, of Toronto, Ohio), Harry E. (a skilled railroad man in Nevada), James A. (a farmer of Hanover township), Addie L. (Mrs. Dr. Mayo Patterson, of Greenburg, Penn.), Laura V. (wife of Thomas McWright, of Hanover township), Dessa L., William C. and Alvie J., all of whom are living at home. After his marriage William Beall located on a farm which he had previously purchased near Florence, Penn., and when the old homestead was sold in 1864 , he purchased it, and took up residence there. The old place has been greatly improved under his care, and is now adorned by a fine residence. He cultivates small fruits, and was formerly interested in the wool business, but now devotes his principal attention to a dairy. In politics Mr. Beall is a lifelong Democrat, taking an active interest in his party. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Paris, and all the family are highly esteemed.

Text taken from page 700 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Dawna Trainor of Baltimore, MD as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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